Page 37 of Truck You

“I’m sorry. Have we met?” I ask.

She nods and chokes back her tears. “It’s been a really long time. So long, in fact, I’m not surprised you don’t remember me.”

There’s something in her voice that triggers a memory. I stare at her eyes again. I see it, but I can’t quite reach it. Searching my memories, I latch on to one from so long ago, it feels like another lifetime. It’s one that I try to forget exists, but with a trigger standing in front of me, it’s impossible to keep it locked up tight.

It’s a memory of a five-year-old little boy waving goodbye to his mom with a huge smile on his face. He’s smiling because he has no clue that she’s never coming back again.

Anger fills me as recognition dawns. I cross my arms over my chest and square my shoulders. The shift in my demeanor causes her to take a slight step back, but then she smiles.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” she asks.

“No!” I huff. “Why should I?”

“Because I’m your mother.”

The dry laugh that escapes me says it all. She may have supplied half my genetic code, but she is not my mom. If anyone has earned that role in my life, it’s Grams. This woman is not welcome here.

“Is that right?” I ask. “Just tell me why you’re here and then leave. You know what?” I hold my hand up to stop her from answering me. “Better yet, just skip to the part where you leave. I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.”

I go to shut the door, but she presses against it with her hand. “Mac, please. I know I should have come back for you a long time ago, but I was really messed up back then. I’ve been clean for years.”

“I don’t care. It’s too late for whatever it is you hope to get out of this visit. Now leave!” I yell that last part so loudly, Dad and Grams rush from the kitchen to join me.

“Heidi? Is that you?” Dad asks.

I turn to see a slight smile on his face.

“Dad!” I yell. “You can’t be serious? She’s not welcome here.”

He turns his gaze to me and immediately drops his smile. “I’m just surprised to see her. That’s all.”

“Well she’s leaving. So don’t get your hopes up.” I step outside and slam the door shut behind me.

Dad has zero control where women are concerned. It never mattered how poorly they treated him or his kids. He always took them back. Knowing him, if Heidi said she was here because she missed him, he’d let her stay.

“Mac, please just listen. I’m not here for Paul. I’m here for you.”

“You’re twenty-two years too late for that, don’t you think?” I charge toward her. She steps back until she’s off the porch and standing in the driveway. “You said you were going to the store.You lied. Do you have any idea how long a five-year-old will sit by the front window waiting for his mom to come back?Too fucking long. It’s too late. I don’t need anything from you now.”

“Please!” she pleads. “If you’d just—”

“No!” I growl out so loudly my entire body shakes with anger.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Liam’s voice bellows from behind me. Liam, Ash, Chase, Christian, and Sophia are watching us from outside the garage. I squeeze my eyes closed, hating that Sophia is witnessing my angry outburst.

“I just want to talk to him,” Heidi says.

Liam shakes his head as he approaches. He squeezes my shoulder and nods at me, letting me know he’ll get rid of her.

He grabs Heidi by the arm and leads her to her car. He opens her car door and pushes her inside. They exchange a few more words, but I can’t hear them. I’m not sure I even care what else she has to say. I just want her gone.

* * *

As soon asLiam slams the car door shut on Heidi, I spin around and run toward the garage. I need to get out of here.

Chase grabs my arm to stop me, but I push him off me.

“Mac, stop,” he calls after me.

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